Weather Forecast

Councilman: Mitchell will miss Schmucker's insight

Backed by decades worth of knowledge of the city, longtime Mitchell Planning Commissioner Bernie Schmucker was always able to offer some insight to his fellow board members.

Up until his last Planning Commission meeting this month, Schmucker was still providing input on several matters. He died Thursday at age 94.

Councilman Dan Allen, who sat next to Schmucker at his last Planning Commission meeting, said he valued Schmucker's opinion, adding that he was "a very knowledgeable fellow." Allen also valued Schmucker for always being willing to say what's on his mind.

"Bernie always told you what he thought, and that's one thing I really liked about him," Allen said. "He didn't beat around the bush, he just told you what was on his mind."

Schmucker also served as a Davison County Commissioner until 2006, when both he and then-Commissioner Carol Millan decided not to run for re-election. Upon leaving the board, Schmucker said he was proud of the county's redevelopment of the Davison County Fairgrounds as well as efforts to maintain the exterior of the Davison County Courthouse.

Schmucker was also a co-founder of Mitchell-based Schmucker, Paul, Nohr & Associates, a local engineering and surveying firm.